DVC Pools, Pool Hopping, Etc.

[pigby]

If you are renting points from and staying as a guest of a DVC member at a Home from Home resort, rather than owning, are you still allowed to pool hop?

 

[cobbler]

No you wouldn't be. Pool hopping is a perk for DVC members and not renters.

 

[pixiedust23]

No you wouldn't be. Pool hopping is a perk for DVC members and not renters.

I was told that as long as yo uwere using DVC points, and DVC was on your "key to the world" you had all the rights and priveldges of a DVC member, and would therefore have access to pool hopping. I would call up Disney and ask them to get the correct answer.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was told that as long as yo uwere using DVC points, and DVC was on your "key to the world" you had all the rights and priveldges of a DVC member, and would therefore have access to pool hopping. I would call up Disney and ask them to get the correct answer.

I don't know who told you that, but that is technically incorrect. Only guests staying with the member are entitled to DVC perks and benefits and then only some of them. People paying members for the use of their points are not considered guests by the DVC regulations and are not entitled to these benefits. Some benefits require that you show a blue member card to get the perk or benefit. For example, the DVC discount on Annual Passes.

I wish Disney would remove the DVC Member tag from room IDs for non-members and leave it only for members and their immediate family members.

 

[LakeAriel]

I don't know who told you that, but that is technically incorrect. Only guests staying with the member are entitled to DVC perks and benefits and then only some of them. People paying members for the use of their points are not considered guests by the DVC regulations and are not entitled to these benefits. Some benefits require that you show a blue member card to get the perk or benefit. For example, the DVC discount on Annual Passes.

I wish Disney would remove the DVC Member tag from room IDs for non-members and leave it only for members and their immediate family members.

Agreed! There is a reason we pay dues every year and it is for membership and the perks that go with it. Putting that on the key is a mistake and incorrect.

 

[Dean]

Actually there are several levels of perks. Some are limited to the member if staying at DVC on points, some to the member themselves regardless, and some to guests even if the member is not there. Technically renters are not allowed the perks per the POS however where to draw the line between a renter and a guest is a bit arbitrary from DVC's standpoint. If they wanted to police it they'd have to change them so that it was only the member and no guests of any kind.

 

[Dean]

Agreed! There is a reason we pay dues every year and it is for membership and the perks that go with it. Putting that on the key is a mistake and incorrect.

Actually most perks don't come out of dues or cost DVC any money whatsoever other than possibly some administration and printing costs associated. They are extended by the destination as a way of encouraging usage and I'd like to think, recognizing loyalty.

 

[LakeAriel]

Actually there are several levels of perks. Some are limited to the member if staying at DVC on points, some to the member themselves regardless, and some to guests even if the member is not there. Technically renters are not allowed the perks per the POS however where to draw the line between a renter and a guest is a bit arbitrary from DVC's standpoint. If they wanted to police it they'd have to change them so that it was only the member and no guests of any kind.

I don't think so. I think a guest is someone who joins the member on vacation. The member is available to show their blue card to allow all in his/her party to get the perks. A renter is a person you have never met and has no vested interest in DVC whatsoever. The person who would be hurt if DVC policed more would be those friends/relatives a MEMBER allows to use their points. It would be next to impossible to differentiate them from a stranger. A password or something may work, I'm not sure. I just don't like the feeling that renting is a better option then buying which I sometimes get.

 

[Dean]

I don't think so. I think a guest is someone who joins the member on vacation. The member is available to show their blue card to allow all in his/her party to get the perks. A renter is a person you have never met and has no vested interest in DVC whatsoever. The person who would be hurt if DVC policed more would be those friends/relatives a MEMBER allows to use their points. It would be next to impossible to differentiate them from a stranger. A password or something may work, I'm not sure. I just don't like the feeling that renting is a better option then buying which I sometimes get.

Your view is not c/w the info found in the POS and Members Guidebook. Some of the perks are specified as member specific, others are not and the info says in the lead off:

The member benefits described in this Guide are made available by DVD as a courtesy to DVC Members, and, in some cases, their
guests who have paid no compensation to the DVC Members ("Guests," or singularly a “Guest”).

And there are several examples where guests would be able to get the perks without the member. Until the most recent website change, the member website specifically stated many of the perks were for guests as well, now it is more vague in that area. Reading through the info the definition of guest is someone who does not pay compensation. By such definition and as written in the information, ANYONE who paid the member anything, even if the member were along, would be classified as a renter.

Granted, most of these perks are not contractual and could change or cease tomorrow.

 

[keys2kingdom]

DH asked me this last night and I didn't have an answer. We own at BCV, but lets say that one year we decide to stay at BWV. Are we allowed to hop to SAB because we own at BCV or are we not allowed to hop over there because we would not be staying there? An interesting question.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

No you can not. Yacht and Beach Club and the Animal Kingdom Lodge are not on the "hopping privledges" for DVC members, those pools are only for the guests that are currently staying at those hotels. Staying at BWV you would be able to hop to any other pool on property but even as a DVC member (and BCV owner) you will not be able to hop to Storm Along Bay or AK Lodge unless you are staying at that hotel...

 

[keys2kingdom]

Thanks Cirque Du Soleil, that's what I suspected but didn't want to answer him til I was sure.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And it doesn't matter where you own points if you are not staying on points at a DVC resort. If you come down and pay cash at a non-DVC resort, you still can't pool hop. You're not staying on points.

 

[Daitcher]

And it doesn't matter where you own points if you are not staying on points at a DVC resort. If you come down and pay cash at a non-DVC resort, you still can't pool hop. You're not staying on points.

This may be true in theory but it is not how it works. Showing your blue DVC card will get you into any of the pools other than SAB and AKL. Besides who is there to check anyone at any pool? Pool hopping can be done anytime, by anyone. I've hopped and have never been questioned. What are they supposed to do, ask every person for proof they are staying at the resort? They don't have enough bodies for that and besides people would be annoyed at having to constantly present proof they are a resort guest. Also I'll throw this out there. If and when I sell my DVC I'll still have my blue card which will get me pool hopping as well as free parking at any of the theme parks. I driveto the parks now on occasion, and all I do is flash my DVC card. Not a bad perk to have after I sell out in say 10 -12 years.


DAVE

 

[senecabeach]

On occasion, I have needed my "blue" card...and resort id.

Disney will soon get wise to this..... just as they have now gone...biometrics in the theme parks..which I think stinks..cant share my tickets with family anymore.

Enjoy it while you can!!

 

[keys2kingdom]

When they first put the fence around SAB (1997 I think) they had a lifeguard posted at each of the entrances to check room keys and they did it religiously, even if you went out to get something to eat at Hanna's you had to show your room key to get back in. Now they give out wristbands and you have to show the wristband if you want to get towels or use the slide. I have seen them using the entrance checkpoints during busy season.

 

[Daitcher]

When they first put the fence around SAB (1997 I think) they had a lifeguard posted at each of the entrances to check room keys and they did it religiously, even if you went out to get something to eat at Hanna's you had to show your room key to get back in. Now they give out wristbands and you have to show the wristband if you want to get towels or use the slide. I have seen them using the entrance checkpoints during busy season.

I was just there, no wristband, no checks, nothing. I don't mind rules I just wish they were enforced all the time. We'd all know what to expect that way.


DAVE

 

[rocketriter]

This may be true in theory but it is not how it works. Showing your blue DVC card will get you into any of the pools other than SAB and AKL. Besides who is there to check anyone at any pool?

At SAB I've been asked to show my DVC card and scan my resort card, after which my family was issued an identification "bracelet."

 

[sfibelko]

Disney will soon get wise to this..... just as they have now gone...biometrics in the theme parks..which I think stinks.

What is this about biometrics? I have never heard of this and am very interested in what it is and how it works.

 

[Dean]

What is this about biometrics? I have never heard of this and am very interested in what it is and how it works.

They now have a device that measures your fingers and they use it to match the person with the ticket. It's very inaccurate and I'm surprised they've expanded it rather than looking at something else. With technology now days, a fingerprint scanner would likely be as easy, quick and more accurate.